The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-05-18
DeliYerance out Of Trouble.
BY n. S.

BY n. ..
"Cail upon me-" says God, "in the
day of trouble. and I will deliver thee,
and thou shalt glorify me-" This is
one of those cheering promises which
have been the comfort and safety of
Gods people in every age. While 1T
gives a condition, it pledges sure and
blessed result, telling us that if in dan.
ger, or perplexity, or trouble we call
upon God, He will answer, ard dellv-
er and save.
Multitudes have tested the promise
and in their own experience have
found it to be true. In the hour OF
trouble or perplexity or danger many
a child of God has called on Him.
when there was no other resource, and
has found Him faithful to His promise
to deliver, as is shown in the follow
ing narrative, which is literally true.
In a large and lone house in the
South of England lived a lady ofpiety
and wealth, with only maid servants
in the dwelling itself, her men SER
wants being in cottages at distance
from the house. 1t was her custom to
20 through the house with one of her
servants every evening, to see that the
windows were properly secured; and
one night, after seeing that all was
safe, she retired to her room, when as
she entered it. she saw distinctly a
man under her bed. What could she
do? Her servants were in q distant
part of the house, where they could
not hear if she cried fer help, and even
if with her they were no match for
desperate housebreaker. What then
did she do? Quietly closing and lock-
ing the door, as she was always in the
habit of doing, she leisurely brushed
her hair, put on her dressing-gown,
and then, taking her Bible, sat down
to read. She read aloud, though in a
low and serious tone, choosing a chap
ter which had special reference to
Gods watchful care over those that
trust Him, whether by day or by night:
When it was ended she knelt and
prayed aloud, commencing herself
and servants to the Divine protection,
pleading their utter helplessness, and
their dependence on God 10 preserve
them from danger, and praying for the
poor. the sinful, and the tempted, that
they might be kept from evil, and led
to put their trust in God as their fat her
and friend. Then, rising from her
knees and putting out the candle, she
laid herself down in bed, though al
most of course, she did not sleep. AT
ter few moments the man come out
from his concealment, and, standing
by her bedside, begged her not TO be
alarmed.
II came here" he said, "to rob you,
but after the words you have read, and
the prayer you have uttered, no power
on earth could induce me to harm you,
or to touch thing in your dwelling.
But you must remain perfectly quiet,
and not make sound to alarm your
servants, or to interfere with me. |
will give a signal to my companions
which will lead them to 60 away, and
you may sleep in peace, for no one
shall harm you or disturb the smallest
thing in your house." He then went
to the window and gave low whistle,
and coming back to the lady's side,
said, Nov I am going. Your prayer
will be answered, and no disaster will
befall you"
He left the room, and soon all was
quiet and the lady at last fell asleep,
calm in the exercise of her faith and
trust In God, her soul filled with
thankfulness for His protecting good
ness. The man proved true to his
word. In the morning it was found
that not a thing i'm the house had been
disturbed. And the lady more than
once and earnestly prayed that the
man might be led to forsake his evil
courses and put his trust in that Say
iour who came to seek and save the
lost, and who, even OH the cross, could
accept and save the thief who was
penitent.
The deliverance of the lady may
seem wonderful, and the story almost
too strange to believe. But some time
after the occurrence letter was re-
ceived by the one who related it, fully
corroborating the statement, and add
ing some facts that enhance both the
wonder and the mercy of the escape.
The letter says, "In the first place, the
robber told her that if she had given
the slightest alarm or token of resist
ance, he was fully determined to MUIR
der her, so that it was providential she
took the course she did. Then before
he went away he said, Il never heard
such words before, and I must have
the book out of which you read;' and
he carried off her Bible, willingly
enough given, you may be sure"
This happened years ago, and only
lately did the lady hear any more Of
the robber. She was attending q re-
ligious meeting in Yorkshire, where,
after several noted clergymen anu 9TH
ers had spoken, man arose, saying
that he was employed as one OF the
book-hawkers (or colporteurs) of the
Society, and told the story of the mid
night adventure, as testimony to the
wonderful power of the word of God,
concluding with, 81 am that man"
The lady rose from her seat in the
hall, and said quietly, "H is all true );
Iuds the ldoyW and sat down again.
If we had more faith in Gods word,
and more full and childlike reliance
on His promises and His providence,
should we not far more frequently
find, in our own experience, that He
never fails His people in the hour of
their need !-Christidn Weekly.
Eyarytbino pood comes from the